Production drill rigs, also referred to as long hole drill rigs or longhole drill rigs, are self-propelled underground machines designed for longhole drilling in underground mining. Longhole drilling is a method of creating deep, precisely angled holes in the rock mass for controlled blasting, ore extraction and stope development.
Unlike face drilling rigs, which drill shorter blast holes at the working face, a long hole drill rig is used to drill longer holes in fans, rings or parallel patterns from a drill drift into the ore body above, below or around the excavation. In underground mining, these machines are essential for production drilling in methods such as sublevel stoping and sublevel caving.
Mine Master designs and manufactures Production Master rigs for underground longhole drilling in different mining conditions, from narrow vein deposits to medium and large underground galleries.
Longhole drilling is a key technique in underground production mining. It allows operators to drill long, accurately positioned holes into the ore body and then use controlled blasting to fragment larger volumes of rock.
This method is widely used because it enables efficient ore extraction without requiring constant access to the stope itself. That improves both safety and productivity, especially in underground areas where access is limited or where the rock mass must be blasted in a controlled sequence.
The accuracy of longhole drilling directly affects:
A well-drilled fan or ring pattern reduces dilution, lowers explosives consumption and helps maintain a more predictable production cycle.
A long hole drill rig operates from a drill drift or gallery. The machine is positioned, levelled and stabilised, and the drilling unit is aligned to the required angle. Depending on the drilling plan, the rig can drill parallel upholes, downholes, fans or rings in vertical or inclined planes.
As the hole becomes deeper, the drill string is extended with additional rods. Depending on the model, rod handling can be manual, supported by a helper, performed with a rod magazine or fully automated.
In advanced longhole drill rigs, the drilling frame can rotate through 360 degrees, allowing holes to be drilled in different directions from one setup position. The operator controls and monitors the drilling process from the cabin, operator's stand or remote control system, depending on the machine configuration.
Longhole drill rigs can be classified by several practical criteria: the size of the gallery or heading in which they operate, maximum drilling depth, hole diameter range, rod handling method and level of automation.
Mine Master offers several Production Master models for different underground mining applications.
| Type of application | Rod handling | Typical use | Mine Master model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrow vein production drilling | Manual with helper | Small headings and narrow vein deposits | Production Master 2.1 |
| Standard long hole drilling with rod magazine | Rod magazine | Parallel upholes, downholes, fans and rings | Production Master 2.310 |
| Fully automated longhole drilling | Double rod magazine | High-output production drilling in larger galleries | Production Master 2.311 |
| Small to medium galleries | Manual with helper | Long hole drilling where full automation is not required | Production Master 2.3M |
Production Master 2.1 is a narrow vein, standard profile longhole drill rig designed for fan drilling and long hole drilling in small underground headings. It is intended for work in headings with minimum dimensions of 3 m x 3 m with 0.2 m clearance. The minimum tramming height is 2.1 m. This makes it suitable for narrow vein gold, silver and base metal deposits where larger long hole drill rigs cannot manoeuvre.
The machine uses manual rod handling with a helper and can drill holes from 45 mm to 127 mm in diameter and up to 20 m in length. It is a practical solution for narrow vein operations that require longhole drilling capability in restricted underground spaces.
Production Master 2.310 is a self-propelled long hole drill rig with a rod magazine, designed for drilling parallel upholes and downholes as well as fans and rings in vertical or inclined planes. The machine uses a top hammer drilling system and can drill holes in the range of 64–165 mm depending on configuration. It is equipped with a remote control panel for easier operation and accurate positioning.
Production Master 2.310 is suitable for mines that require productive longhole drilling with rod magazine support, but do not require the full automation level of the Production Master 2.311.
Production Master 2.311 is the most advanced longhole drill rig in the Mine Master range. It is a fully automated long hole drilling rig with remote control, based on the FM 2.320 chassis. The working system is mounted on a movable frame, with the drill facing the operator to provide full visibility of the drilling process from the cabin. The drilling frame rotates 360 degrees, allowing holes to be drilled in any direction.
The rig is equipped with two rod magazines, each holding 13 rods of 1,525 mm, plus one additional rod in the drill, allowing holes up to 40 m in length. Production Master 2.311 is designed for high-output underground longhole drilling where automation, accuracy and operator safety are key priorities.
Production Master 2.3M is a self-propelled long hole drill rig for small to medium-size galleries with manual rod handling. It can drill parallel upholes, downholes, fans and rings in vertical or inclined planes. It is equipped with a high-performance rock drill and a boom-mounted drilling unit.
The drilling process can be controlled from a protected operator area, with the option of a robust canopy or a closed cabin with air conditioning. Remote control is also available as an option. Production Master 2.3M is a practical solution where precise longhole drilling is required but full automation is not necessary.
Long hole drill rigs often work in confined underground drill drifts, close to active stopes and blasted areas. Key safety and automation features may include:
Automation is particularly important in longhole drilling because it reduces operator fatigue, improves repeatability and supports more consistent drilling results over long shifts.
The right longhole drill rig depends on the actual conditions of the mine and the drilling plan. The most important factors include gallery or heading dimensions, required hole depth and diameter, drilling pattern, expected production output, required level of automation and operator safety requirements.
For narrow vein deposits and small headings, Production Master 2.1 may be the right choice. For standard long hole drilling with rod magazine support, Production Master 2.310 is a practical option. For highly automated, high-output longhole drilling, Production Master 2.311 offers the most advanced configuration. For small to medium galleries where manual rod handling is acceptable, Production Master 2.3M provides a precise and reliable solution.
Mine Master works with customers at the specification stage to match the machine configuration to the real operating conditions of the mine. Contact us for more information.
A face drilling rig drills short blast holes at the working face for tunnel or gallery advance. A long hole drill rig is used for longhole drilling into the ore body from a drill drift, to support ore extraction and stope blasting.
Longhole drilling is used to drill deep, accurately positioned holes for controlled blasting and ore extraction. It is commonly used in underground production methods such as sublevel stoping and sublevel caving.
Depending on the model, Mine Master longhole drill rigs can drill holes up to around 40 m, with the Production Master 2.311 reaching up to 40 m.
Manual rod handling requires the operator or helper to add and remove rods during drilling. Automated or magazine-based rod handling reduces manual work, improves repeatability and limits operator exposure during long drilling cycles.
Depending on the model, longhole drill rigs can drill upholes, downholes, fans, rings and inclined holes. Production Master 2.311 uses a rotating drilling frame that allows drilling in multiple directions from one setup position.
It depends on the model. Production Master 2.1 is designed for narrow vein applications and can work in headings of minimum 3 m x 3 m with 0.2 m clearance. Larger machines require more space for tramming, positioning and drilling.
Yes. Selected Production Master models offer remote control or automated drilling features. Production Master 2.311 is the most advanced model, with automation supporting drilling sequences and rod handling.
Standard drilling refers to short blast holes drilled at the working face during tunnel or gallery development, typically 3 to 5 metres deep. Long hole drilling involves drilling much deeper holes, typically 20 to 41 metres, from a drill drift into the ore body above or below. This allows large volumes of rock to be blasted and extracted without constant face access, making longhole drilling significantly more productive in stope mining operations.
Yes. Production Master 2.1 is specifically designed for narrow vein applications and can operate in headings as small as 3 m x 3 m with 0.2 m clearance. It is a practical solution for narrow vein gold, silver and base metal deposits where standard longhole drill rigs cannot manoeuvre.
Mine Master Spółka z o.o.
Wilków, 59-500 Złotoryja
ul. Dworcowa 27
tel: +48 (76) 87 83 511
info@minemaster.eu
NIP: 6940007277
PKD: 2892Z
REGON: 390234796
KRS: 0000114912
